Lot 92
- 92
Inayat Khan holding a portrait of a European soldier, India, Mughal, early 17th century
Estimate
5,000 - 7,000 GBP
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Description
- opaque watercolour on paper
gouache with gold on paper, framed
Condition
Good overall condition, some retouching to upper dark green background, light creases and abrasions, some retouching to legs, as viewed
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."
Catalogue Note
This painting depicts the Mughal nobleman Inayat Khan, one of Jahangir's favourite courtiers. A very similar portrait appears on a page in the Kevorkian Album in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (see Welch et al 1987, no.26, and Crill and Jariwala 2010, no.16, upper right), along with three other portraits of courtiers. The brown background of the present work is seen in a number of portraits of the first decade or so of Jahangir's reign, including two on the aforementioned Kevorkian Album page. Inayat Khan died in 1618 as a result of addiction to opium and wine, and an uncontrolled appetite. Jahangir recorded his decline in the Jahangirnama (see Jahangirnama, p.279-80) and was so struck by the emaciated state of Ianayat Khan when he saw him a few days before his death that he ordered his artists to record a faithful likeness. Two portraits survive showing Inayat Khan on his deathbed, one in the Bodleian Library, Oxford (MS. Ousely Add.171, fol.4v, see Crill and Jariwala, no.18), the other, a drawing, in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (14.679, see Crill and Jariwala, no.17).